Concealable cosmetic device



Jan. 28, 1964 s, RITZCOVAN 3,119,339

CONCEALABLE COSMETIC DEVICE Filed July 17. 1961 INVENTOR. STEPHEN RITZCOVAN BY 5% fl! ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,119,389 CUNCEALABLE CQSMETIC DEVICE Stephen Ritzcovan, 525 Leavenworth St.,

San Francisco, Calif. Filed July 17, 1961, Ser. No. 124,720 1 Claim. (Cl. 12876) This invention relates to improvements in a concealable cosmetic device and more particularly to cosmetic devices of the character defined in my co-pending application Serial No. 114,505, filed June 2, 1961, now abandoned, for Cosmetic Device and Method of Applying Same, of which the present application is a continuationin-part.

With advancing age, human beings tend to develop unsightly folds and wrinkles under the chin. Heretofore, smoothing out of the chin line has required resorting to a plastic surgery operation commonly known as facelifting in which the surplus tissue is removed so as to pull the remaining tissue back to a youthful tautness.

The present invention is concerned with the use of a cosmetic device which is adapted to smooth out underthe-chin folds and wrinkles in a manner calculated to create a more youthful and pleasing appearance.

Various devices have been proposed for eliminating or reducing different kinds of facial wrinkles. None of these devices can be worn in concealed position while affording a temporary face-lift of the character provided by the present invention. Most of the devices are designed to be worn in the privacy of the home or beauty shop and are intended for eradicating wrinkles rather than for drawing back the loose skin so that the wrinkles will be smoothed out and become invisible.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for effecting a temporary face-lift without resorting to surgery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic device which may be worn in concealed position beneath the garments or other apparel of the user and which is effective for pulling back and smoothing out loose, sagging tissues to provide an attractive, youthful appearance to the under-chin area.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for effectively concealing the cosmetic band beneath an ornamental strip-like article of apparel, such as a necklace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concealing article of the character set forth which may be easily and simply adjusted to different size necks and which will remain firmly in place at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concealable cosmetic device of the character described which is of simple, sturdy construction and which is economical enough to permit the use of a fresh device every day, the device being adapted for use with a wide variety of concealing means.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as the specification progresses, and the new and useful features of my concealable cosmetic device will be fully defined in the claim attached hereto.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a concealable cosmetic device constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in operative position on the neck of the wearer;

FIGURE 2, a side elevational view of the outer face of a cosmetic band forming part of the invention;

FIGURE 3, a side elevational view of the rear face of the band of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4, a perspective view of a necklace forming part of the device of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5, an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of a portion of the device of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the means for attaching a concealing necklace to the cosmetic band.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claim attached hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the concealable cosmetic device 11 of the present invention includes a flexible band 12 having pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces 13 and 14 on its inner face 16 at both ends of the band, together with an ornamental strip-like article 17 formed to encircle the neck 18 of the wearer in covering relation to the band 12 so as to conceal the latter from view.

The band 12 is under sufiicient tension to draw the loose skin of the neck and throat rearwardly so as to stretch the tissues and minimize wrinkles. Naturally, the band 12 should be concealed, and, due to its position (as more fully described in the aforesaid co-pending application), concealment is simple where the user is wearing a high collar. In many instances fashion demands that low-necked or necklace garments be worn and the present invention is directed to means for effectively concealing the band 12 under such circumstances.

As may be seen from FIGURE 1, the necklace 17 or other ornamental article is wide enough to conceal the band 12 when positioned thereover. As stated in my copending application, it is comparatively easy to conceal the band 12 beneath a high choker type of necklace but many women find chokers unattractive and would refuse to wear them. This problem is solved by the present invention wherein means 19' is provided for securely holding in place any necklace Wide enough to conceal the band 12.

In accordance with the present invention the means 19 comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive adapted to removabily secure the necklace 17 in covering relation to the band 12. The adhesive of means 19 may be carried by the necklace 17 or may be applied between the necklace and band 12 by the use of double-faced adhesive tape. However, for ease of manufacture and application 1 prefer to provide the adhesive means on the outer face 21 of the band 12.

In accordance with the present invention the adhesive means is preferably provided in relatively small areas spaced along the band 12 in position to receive corresponding substantially flat areas 22 formed on the necklace 17. I have found that the necklace attaching adhesive 23 will function very efficiently when positioned in an area 24 centrally of the band 12 and in areas 26 and 27 positioned at the opposite ends of the band. With this location of the adhesive 23, the necklace 17 will be attached to the band 12 at the back of the neck and at both sides of the lower portion of the Adams apple. Should the character of the necklace 17 require it, additional adhesive areas may be provided.

The best and most natural concealment of the band 12 is provided where the necklace 17 is formed in a loop just large enough to encircle the neck 18 of the wearer at the location of the band 12. I therefore prefer to provide a necklace having an adjustable loop. Many necklaces of this nature are presently on the market and I have found that a necklace of the character depicted in FIG- URE 4 of the drawing and having a slide fastener 28 is particularly suitable. With such necklace the wearer applies the band 12 in the manner set forth in my previously referred to co-pending application, then places the enlarged loop over her head and pulls on the free ends 29 and 31 to constrict the loop in correct position around 3 her neck so that the flats 22 contact and adhere to the adhesive areas 24, 26, 27.

As described in my co-pending application, the adhesive areas are kept fresh and tacky by removable, smooth plastic strips 32 and 33. Similarly covers 34 may be provided for the adhesive areas 24', 26, 27. Light-gauge plastic sheeting such as polyvinyl acetate or the like will be suitable for this purpose but the material chosen should possess a lower adhesion coefficient for the adhesive used than does the material of the band 12.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a new and valuable cosmetic band together with a novel means for concealing the band under an ornamental article such as necklace so as to render the band invisible and undetectable by the observer.

I claim:

An unobtrusive composite cosmetic device for minimizing throat and neck wrinkles, comprising a flexible band having a length sufficient to nearly encircle a human neck, pressure-sensitive adhesive surfaces on the inner face of both ends of said band having sutlicient area to maintain adherence to the skin of the neck at opposite sides of the throat with the band under tension whereby the loose skin of the neck and throat will be drawn rearwardly so as to stretch the tissues and minimize Wrinkles, an ornamental strip-like article of apparel formed to be worn around the neck and positively mounted in covering relation over said band so as to conceal the band from view, said band having spaced areas coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive material on its outer side centrally of the band and at both ends thereof, and said strip being formed with smooth areas in spaced positions corresponding to the spacing of said areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said band when said strip is mounted in covering relation thereto for firmly securing said strip to said band.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,593 Lesser Oct. 23, 1945 2,688,324 McCanthy Sept. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 377,410 Great Britain July 28, 1932 

